Ambulance stretcher



NOV- 17, 19421 F. w. MARTIN AMBULANCE STRETCHER `Nov. '17, 1942.

F. W. MARTIN AMBULANCE STRETCHER Filed July 31, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .f@ma 7M ,n y f Z l i PI M4 `..m I m NH m E J W7 Patented Nov. 17, 1942UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application July 31, 1940, Serial No.348,915 In Great Britain August 15, 1939 1 Claim.

This invention relates to ambulance stretchers fof the kind comprising ametal frame and a canvas or like covering. The object of the inventionis to provide an improved construction which enables the canvas portionto be easily removed and replaced.

In the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are respectively an elevation and an inverted plan of anambulance stretcher embodying the invention, the stretcher being shownin its extended condition.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the stretcher in itsfolded condition.

Figure 4 is a sectional end elevation taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1and drawn to a larger scale than the latter figure.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional plan taken on the line 5 5 of Figure4.

Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 4 with the canvas or like portionand locking means omitted.

Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 4 taken on the line 'I--l of Figure1.

In carrying the invention into elect as shown, I construct the stretcherframe from a pair of tubular side members Ila and a pair of foldablecross members b. Each of the cross members b may conveniently consist,as shown, of a pair of parts which at one pair of adjacent ends arepivoted together, and Which at their' other ends are pivoted to the twoside members a respectively, one of the said parts being formed with anextension c which can abut against and embrace the other part when thestretcher is in its extended condition. Preferably each side member a isprovided on its underside with a pair of U-shaped or other feet cl.

Each side member a is formed along its outer side with a longitudinalchannel e, the lateral opening of which is narrower than the interior ofthe channel. For this purpose in the example shown each side member a isshaped to a form which in eiiect is the equivalent of a pair of tubes ofdifferent diameters arranged one within the other and each having alongitudinal slot at one side of less width than the diameter of theinner tube, the two tubes being integrally united with each other alongthe edges of the slots.

The canvas or like cover f is formed along each longitudinal edge with ahem g, and into this hem is inserted a tubular or solid locking rod h,the hems and rods being such that they can be inserted endwise into thechannels e in the side members a of the frame, and the diameter of therods being such that they cannot pass laterally through the sideopenings of the channels.

On the ends of the side members a are removably mounted rubber or liketubular handles i formed internally With longitudinal keys as y' forengaging the openings of the channels e in the side members, the innerends of the keys serving by contact with the outer ends of the lockingrods h to prevent endwise movement of these rods relatively to the saidside members.

By this invention an easily detachable and attachable connection betweenthe cover and frame is effected in a very simple and convenient manner.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

An ambulance stretcher comprising in combination a frame having a pairof side members each of which is composed of a pair of integral tubularmetal parts of different diameters arranged one within the other andprovided at one side with a longitudinal slot of less Width than thediameter of the inner tubular part, the two tubular parts being unitedalong the edges of the slots, a cover having a pair of longitudinal hemseach containing a locking rod, the hems and rods being insertableendwise into the inner tubular parts but being unable to pass laterallythrough the slots in the side members, and tubular handles removablymounted on the ends of the side members, the handles being provided withinternal keys which engage the slots in the side members and serve toprevent endwise movements of the locking rods contained in the hems ofthe cover.

FREDRICK WILLIAM MARTIN.

